National Mapping’s Aviation Section 1978-1995

Nomad N22B-25 (VH-DNM) powered by twin Allison 250-B17 series turbo-prop engines was the first of five aircraft that National Mapping was to own and operate between 1976 and 1995. It was purchased by Nat Map’s then Assistant Director John Dunstan (Joe) Lines from the manufacturer, the Government Aircraft Factory, Melbourne on 15 July 1976 prior to the creation of a National Mapping aviation section. It was operated by National Mapping from July 1976 to September 1982. Initially, Executive Air Services provided pilots and some if not all maintenance services were carried out by Forrestair. Executive Air Services pilots included: Pat O’Donohue and Jack Marshall.

From 1978, National Mapping used its own staff pilots; initially to fly VH-DNM and VH‑CAS and subsequently the replacements for these aircraft and the additional aircraft acquired by the Division. An aviation section was put in place in National Mapping’s Dandenong (Victoria) office. It became operational in early 1978 and continued until National Mapping (then called the Australian Surveying and Land Information Group) disposed of its last two aircraft in 1995.

The aviation section created within National Mapping after the purchase of VH-DNM was largely due to the personal drive and enthusiasm of then Technical Officer (Engineering) Terry Mulholland. He foresaw the advantages for National Mapping of operating its own aircraft with staff pilots for its various airborne operations. Importantly he was able to convince National Mapping’s managers of the soundness of his vision and was appointed as the inaugural chief pilot.

In turn Nat Map’s senior managers argued hard to obtain the necessary resources from government to purchase suitable aircraft in the face of counter lobbying from private sector elements. The aviation section’s operations were under the general direction of a senior surveyor (initially Paul Wise and afterwards Rod Menzies). Later the section was given administrative support from Arnold Visser; Technical Officer (Engineering). Aircraft maintenance was contracted to various private sector providers on an as required basis.

National Mapping Staff Pilots

Chief Pilot (1978-October 1988) was Terrence Gerald (Terry) Mulholland (1935-2013). Other staff pilots were Harry William (Harry) Baker (joined March 1978), Peter Prior (joined May 1978, now deceased) and Jock Maxwell Head (1946-2018) who joined in August 1980.

Several other pilots also flew Nat Map aircraft on a short-term basis. These pilots included Robert Graeme (Rob) Spry who was Terry Mulholland’s step-son. Rob was employed in 1988 to fly the Cessna 337 (VH-JQN). Tragically, Rob was later killed when a passenger in a Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft (VH-SZA) that crashed near Clyde in November 1992. Another such pilot was Jim Millar who was contracted to fly aerial photography in Cessna 421C VH-DRB. Sadly, Jim was later killed in a Twin Otter aircraft accident in Papua New Guinea in 1996.

Aircraft owned and operated by National Mapping

Nomad N22B-25 VH-DNM (the 25^th Nomad built) was purchased in July 1976 and disposed of in September 1982. VH-DNM was used for aerial photography with a Wild RC9 aerial survey camera and for laser terrain profiling operations with the WREMAPS1 system. The aircraft was modified to carry and operate this equipment.

Cessna 170A VH-CAS was purchased in February 1978 and disposed of in December 1982. This single engine aircraft was used for map inspection and spot photography operations. It was modified for spot photography by provision for a vertically mounted Hasselblad 70mm camera.

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-DRB was purchased in August 1982 and disposed of in July 1995. (It replaced Nomad VH-DNM as it was pressurised and capable of flying photography work at 25,000 feet. The purchase price for VH-DRB was $255,000 and a further $75,000 was paid for initial modifications. These modifications included the installation of an optical glass flat that enabled the equipment to view the terrain below whilst a pressurisation seal was maintained.) VH-DRB was used for high altitude mapping photography operations and was modified to carry a Wild RC10 aerial survey camera. Later it was further modified to carry the Pram III system that was used for laser terrain profiling operations.

Cessna U206F Stationair VH-ESU was purchased in October 1982 and disposed of in May 1987. This aircraft was used for map inspection and spot photography operations. It was modified for spot photography by provision for a vertically mounted Hasselblad 70mm camera.

Cessna 337F Super Skymaster VH-JQN was purchased in May 1987 and disposed of in July 1995. (It replaced VH-ESU that became unreliable due to continued engine issues.) VH-JQN was a twin engine aircraft of push-pull configuration that was used for map inspection and spot photography operations. It was modified for spot photography by provision for a vertically mounted Hasselblad 70mm camera.

Aircraft dry chartered by Nat Map

From time to time National Mapping pilots also flew other aircraft on short term dry charter to support the Division’s operations. During these charter operations the aircraft were flown by Nat Map’s staff pilots. Examples include:

Early 1980s: Cessna 402 (VH-BPX) was piloted by Jock Head for aerial photography operations. The aircraft operator’s contacts were Russ Pascoe and Steve Horrigan.

1981: In January Cessna 402 (VH-BPX) was piloted by Harry Baker for aerial photography operations from Mount Gambier and from Albury.

1981: In June Cessna 182 (VH-AIV) was piloted by Harry Baker for map inspection operations in the Moomba area.

1981: In September Cessna 182 (VH-RBD) was piloted by Harry Baker for map inspection operations in the Boulia area.

1982: In November Cessna 182Q Skylane II (VH-TRE) was piloted by Harry Baker for map inspection in the Whyalla-Ceduna area with Nat Mappers Kalen Sergeant, Vicki Charman and Norm Oliver.

1987: In February field inspection of the Bairnsdale map sheet were carried out using a Cessna 337F Super Skymaster (VH-RGB) piloted by Harry Baker and also using a Partenavia PN68 (VH-OBS) piloted by Terry Mulholland.

Other external aircraft were also used by Nat Map staff pilots for their instrument rating training and mandated six-monthly rating renewal requirements. Examples of aircraft used for this purpose by Harry Baker alone include: Piper PA28R Arrow (VH-IMN); Piper PA44 Seminoles (VH-WHV, VH-SEZ and VH-MHY); Piper PA39 Twin Comanche (VH-MED); and Partenavia PN68TC (VH-TCU).